Slavery In The 1800's

Slavery in the United States was the biggest conflict in the 1800’s. However, the people who owned these slaves and put them through horrific conditions lived lavish lives. These slave owners lived on acres of gorgeous land and created the culture of the South. Plantations in the 18th and 19th century shaped the culture in the South and this also affected the southern politics. Plantation owners varied from state to state and, very rarely, race. Many people don’t know what things took place in order to have the lifestyle that the southerners lived everyday during that time period. Once they acquired their wealth, southern plantation owners became iconic social figures as well as political and economic power houses. This all changed between
Tensions were usual during this time due to the fight to get to the top of the economic pyramid they designed themselves. There have been separated groups of plantations based on how many slaves you have working. Obviously, the more slaves you have the more money you have. In 1860, if you had 500-999 slaves you would have at least 386 million dollars. Small plantation’s or farms with 5 slaves at most would have around 4 million dollars a year. The south's economy received 3,930 million dollars through having slavery. This carried through all 15 slave states. While these power houses controlled everything within the south, they also controlled the middle class and lower class citizens. The middle class people practically worshiped the wealthy because of how successful they
Everyone knows how slaves weren’t treated as equals and were treated cruelly. However, not everyone knows how some of these slaves were treated pretty decently give the time period. The housing for slaves often times varied on if you have a family, how pigmented their skin was or how close they are to the plantation owner's family. Light skinned slaves were lucky enough to help work around the house and befriend the owner's family. These slaves often helped take care of the children and wives with things they needed around the house. Light skinned slaves became close friends with the family and sometimes if the owners wife was feeling generous or was so close to their slave, they’d reward them. Some of these awards would be having more food, better clothing or the wife would take them out in the town. These slaves were able to talk to the plantation owners but only if they were asked or suggested to speak. Dark Skin slaves were forced to work in the fields. If they tried to talk to an overseer or if they attempted on trying to take a break, they would be hurt. Depending on the context the slave was talking in, they normally were beaten. The dark skinned slaves were never aloud to talk to the plantation owner and if they disrespected the plantation owner in any shape or form they would be punished. These rules were normally created by the owners but the overseers enforced those